Tapeline case structure



Sept 11, 11923.

C. W. CROGAN TAPELIINE CASE STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 1, 1919 Patented Sept. 11, 1923.

lhdtihbdt CHARLES w. cnoean, or BANGOR, MAINE.

TAPELINE STRUCTURE.

Application filed December T 0 all w ham it may 00 ncern Be it known that I, Cnannns 1V. Onoei-m, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bangor, in the county of Penobscot and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tapeline Case Structures, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in the case structures of tape lines of the type disclosed in Patents Numbers 1,216,418 and 1,233,031, dated February 20, 1917, and July 10, 1917, respectively, and the present invention has for its object to generally improve and simplify the structure of, the case to pro vide for its economical manufacture.

Another and more specific object of the invention is the provision of a case for this type of tape lines consisting essentially of two sections or parts each constructed or stamped from a single blank of sheet metal and assembled in such manner as to effr ciently house and. guide the tape line and to exert suilicient pressure thereon to prevent its loose movement and accidental slipping.

lVith these and other objects in view as will appear as the description proceeds the invention comprises the novel features of construction combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be more fully described in the following specification and set forth with particularity in the claims appended hereto.

Figure 1 represents a si improved case structure. v

Figure 2 represents an edge elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Figure 41 is an interior elevation of one section of the casing showing the parts of the Winding mechanism as arranged therein.

' Figure 5 represents a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 represents a reduced plan View of the blank of sheet metal from which one part or section of the case is constructed.

Referring to the drawing, wherein similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numerals 5 and (5 indicate the parts or sections of the case which. when properly assembled form a housing for the tape line and parts associated therewith. The case is of the im proved shape as disclosed in my two prior patents above referred to and the part or de elevation of the 1, 1919. Serial No. 341,607.

section 5 consists of the side wall 7 and flange 8 formed integral therewith and directed at right angles thereto. The flange 8 is substantially semi-circular and is formed integral with an elongated tongue or extension 9 which, after the flange 8 is turned at right angles to the side wall or body portion 7 is properly curved to extend across side face of the V-shaped portion of the side wall inwardly of the apex thereof as shown in.

Fig. 3. The terminal of the extension 9 is provided along one of its longitudinal edges with a recess 10 and the opposite longitudi nal edge of the adjacent terminal of the curved flange 8 is formed with a corresponding recess 11.. The recessed terminals of the flange and extension are interfitted, as suggested in Figure 5 and the terminal of the curved flanged portion 8 is subsequently turned back as indicated at 12 in Figure 3 so as to securely interlock the flange and extension thereby maintaining the latter in predetermined position with relation to the side wall 7.

The other case section. 6 includes a body portion 13 constituting one of the side walls of the case and a right angularly directed flange 11 which constitute the rim of the casing and is extended entirely about the section and of suchisize as to receive the flange 8 of the section 5, when the sections are properly assembled. When the sections of the case are assembled, they are permanently secured together as by brazing, welding, or soldering, or otherwise connecting the flanges Sand 14 one to the other. The flange 1 1 is provided with a transverse opening 15 through which the tape line 16 extends and at a point substantially diametrically opposite the opening 15 the flange 8 of the section 5 is formed with a substantially U- shaped slit 17 through which the tape line 16 extends from the rotatable supporting drum or reel 18 into the space provided between portions of the flanges 8 and 14 the tongue 17' defined by the slit 17 being turned inwardly, as in Fig. 3, to properly guide the I tape line 16.

That portion of the flange 8 and the extension 9 over which the tape line 16 extends prior toits passage through the opening 15 is spaced from the flange 14.- throughout the movement and slipping thereof while by.

maintaining the major portion of the flange in spaced relation to the outer flange 14 pos 'sibility of injuring or binding the tape lino bear against the terminal portion'of the exv tension 9 and thus frictionally clamp the tape line 16 between that portion of the extension or guide 9 and the contiguous portion of the inner surface of the outer flange 14 thereby preventing withdrawal of the tape line from the case. Exteriorly of the tape line case an adjusting arm 21 is secured to one of the pivot pins of the camor eccentric 20 for convenience in adjusting the latter.

At a point substantially diametrically opposite the outlet opening 15 for the tape line, the outer flange it is provided with an elongated opening 22 Fig. 2 having a pointer or indicator 23 formed along one of its longitudinal edges under which the exposed portion of the tape line 16 is movable to indicate the length of the tape line which is withdrawn from the case. It is to be here noted that the opposite side walls 7 and 13 of the casing are preferably provided with inwardly directed depressions of similar configuration or outline to that of the casing proper, as is indicated at 7 and 13' respectively.

What'I claim is:

1. In a tape measure, a case including side walls and interfitting inner and outer flanges thereon, an extension carried by the inner flange extending across the interior of the ease'and constituting a guide for a flexible tape line, and a series of spacing elements formed onthe inner flange and extension for maintaining the flexible tape line in contact with portions of the case flanges.

2. In a tape measure, a two part case, a marginal flange carried by one part, a segmental internal flange carried by the second part and secured to said marginal flange, an elongated extension carried by one terminal of the segmental flange and having its outer terminal connected with the opposite terminal of the segmental flange.

3. In a tape measure, a two part case, an angularly directed flange carried by one part of the case, an internal segmental flange carried by the second case part having one terminal hooked and an elongated extension carried by the opposite terminal of the segmental flange having its terminal intercase for receiving a windable tape line, each of said parts formed with a flange, one of said flanges being continuous and constituting the rim of the case and further enclosing and abutting the other flange, and an integral flexible extension on said other flange projecting from one end and interfitting with the other end of said enclosed flange to provide a support for the tape line, said extension opposing and spaced from said rim to accommodate the tape line between the extension and the rim flange.

5. A tape measure comprising a'two part case for receiving a windable tape line, each of said parts formed with a flange, one of said flanges being continuous and constituting the rim of the case and further enclosing and abutting against the other flange, and an integral flexible extension on said other flange projecting from one end and interfitting with the other end of said enclosed flange to provide a support for the tape line, said extension opposing and spaced from said rim to accommodate the tape line between the extension and the! rim flange, said rim flange having one portion thereof circular in contour and its remaining portion angle-shaped, that part of said extension opposing the circular portion of the rim flange being arranged closer thereto than a part of the extension which opposes a part of the angle shaped portion of the rim flange.

6. A tape measure comprising a two part case for receiving a windable tape line, each of said parts formed with a flange, one of said flanges being continuous and constituting the rim of the case and further enclosing and abutting against the other flange, and an integral flexible extension on said other flange projecting from one end and interfitting with the other end of said enclosed flange to provide a support for the tape line, said extension opposing and spaced from said rim to accommodate the tape line between the extension and the rim flange, said rim flange having one portion thereof circular in contour and its remaining portion angle-shaped, that part of said extension opposing the circular portion of the rim flange being arranged closer thereto than a part of the, extension which opposes a part of the angle shaped portion of the rim flange, said circular portion of said rim flange having one terminous provided with an opening for the passage of the tape line from the case, and said extension in proximity to its integral end formed with a slit for the passage of the tape line into the space formed between the extension and the rim flange,

7 A tape measure comprising a two part case for receiving a windable tape line, each of said parts formed with a flange, one of said flanges being continuous and constitut-- ing the rim of the case and furtherenclosing and abutting against the other flange, and an integral flexible extension on said other flange projecting from one end and interfitting with the other end of said enclosed flange to provide a support for the tape line, said extension opposing and spaced from said rim to accommodate the tape line between the extension and the rim flange, said flange provided at a point in proximity to the interfitting end of said extension with an opening for the passage of the tape line from the case, and said extentension in proximity to its integral end formed with a slit for the passage of the tape line into the space formed between the extension and the rim flange.

8. A tape measure comprising a two part case for receiving a windable tape line, each of said parts formed with a flange, one of said flanges being continuous and constituting the rim of the case and further enclosing and abutting against the other flange, and in integral flexible extension on said other flange projecting from one end and interlitting with the other end of said enclosed flange to provide a support for the tape line, said extension opposing and spaced from said rim to accommodate the tape line between the extension and the rim flange, said rim flange having one portion thereof circular in contour and its remaining port-ion angle-shaped,that part of said extension opposing the circular portion of the rim flange being arranged closer thereto than a part of the extension which opposes a part of the angle shaped portion of the rim flange, said circular portion of said rim flange havin one. terminous provided With an opening For the passage of the tape line from the case, and said extension in proximity to its integral end formed with a slit for the passage of the tape line into the space formed between the extension and the rim flange, and said extension provided with means for maintaining a part of the outer convolution of the tape line in contact with the circular portion of the rim flange and flexible tape line, said extension having inherent means for maintaining the tape line in engagement with a portion of the rim and further for maintaining the major portion of the extension in spaced relation with respect to the tape line.

10. In a tape measure a case including spaced side walls, one of said walls provided with an angular flange to constitute a rim, the other oi said Walls provided with an angular flange enclosed by and positioned against said rim flange, and an integral resilient extension projecting from one end of said enclosed flange and having its free terminal engaging with the other end of said enclosed flange, that portion of said extension between the ends of said enclosed flange extended acrossthe inner surface of the side walls of the case and movable independently thereof.

11. In a tape measure a case provided with a rim, a flexible member forming an extension of the rim and supported within the case and arranged in spaced relation with respect to the rim to accommodate a flexible tape line, said extension and rim each provided with an opening for the passage of the tape line, that portion of the latter between said opening arranged between the rim and extension, said rim provided with an elongated slot for exposing the tape line, and an indicator at one of the walls of said slot to register linear measurements on the tape line.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature hereto.

CHARLES W. C ROGAN. 

